Remote Control Terminal Dual Wireless Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RF remote controls for information processing devices like television receivers face challenges in power consumption due to unnecessary activation of communication units when not required, especially when the information processing apparatus is unpowered or communication is not established, leading to increased power usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a dual wireless communication system where the remote control terminal and information processing apparatus interact to manage the startup and shutdown of higher-speed wireless communication units only when necessary, using a lower-speed RF4CE standard for control signals and a higher-speed wireless LAN for video and audio data transmission, and incorporating a motion detection unit to minimize power consumption by detecting unoperated status and sending stop instructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the high-speed wireless communication unit is always activated in the remote control terminal, then the video data and audio data can be transmitted in real-time, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the wireless communication unit's operational state changeable - switching between active and inactive states based on operational needs. The control unit activates the wireless communication unit only when video or audio data transmission is required, and deactivates it during idle periods, thereby adapting the system's power consumption to actual usage patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through the motion detection unit that continuously monitors user activity. When no motion is detected for a predetermined period, the system transitions to a low-power state. This periodic monitoring and state transition reduces power consumption while ensuring the system becomes responsive again when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of time

If the wireless communication unit is activated immediately upon user input, then the data transmission responsiveness is improved, but unnecessary power consumption occurs when the information processing apparatus is unpowered or communication is not established

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse timeVSAvoidunnecessary power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the remote control terminal receives status information from the information processing apparatus about whether it is powered on and whether communication is established. Based on this feedback, the control unit intelligently determines whether to activate the wireless communication unit, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while maintaining responsiveness when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the control unit check communication status and power state before activating the wireless communication unit. This preliminary verification ensures that the system only consumes power when activation will be productive, preventing energy waste while maintaining readiness for immediate data transmission when conditions permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the remote control terminal continuously monitors for user input, then the responsiveness to user commands is improved, but the power consumption increases during idle periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness to user inputVSAvoididle power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through the motion detection unit that monitors user activity at regular intervals. When no motion is detected for a predetermined period, the system transitions to a low-power state. This periodic monitoring maintains responsiveness to user input while significantly reducing power consumption during extended idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2538666B1Remote control terminal and information processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 SATURN LICENSING LLC
  • EP2538666B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2538666B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2538666B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a remote control terminal, including: a first terminal-side wireless-communication unit configured to interactively communicate with a control-target information processing apparatus by using a first wireless communication system, to control the information processing apparatus; a second terminal-side wireless-communication unit configured to interactively communicate with the information processing apparatus by using a second wireless communication system, the second wireless communication system being higher in speed than the first wireless communication system; a camera unit configured to obtain video data; and a first controller configured to control the second terminal-side wireless-communication unit to transmit the video data obtained by the camera unit to the information processing apparatus by using the second wireless communication system.